New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1887-06-22
Hints on Tree-Planttns.

Hints on Tree-Planttns
Many fruit trees, bushes, vines, and
other kinds of nursery stock are annu-
ally lost to the purchasers by lack Of
proper care in taking them up, hand
ling, and resettng. It is generally adj
visable to obtain trees, bushes, shrubs,
and vines from a nurseryman in ones
own vicinity, providing he has the va
rieties one wishes to plant. He will
care more for his reputation than a
person who lives at distance. and
will not be likely to practice impos-
lures on a patron who is neigh Dor.
The chances are that he will deal fair
ly, it for no higher motive than to Sc
cure trade in the near future. There
are other advantages in obtaining
nursery stock near home. 1t can be
moved from the place where it was
raised to the one where tits to grow
in very short time and long ex-
posure to the air prevented. It is ac-
climated to the region and more likely
to do well on that account. A Gus
toner can choose his trees if he visits
nursery, but he can exercise no
choice il he orders them from distance.
He can see that they are properly taken
from the ground and can reject those
that are injured. He can take them
home in his own wagon and thus save
the cost of transportation. He can
select a day for moving when the
weather is favorable for this work but
unfavorable for ordinary farm opera
tons.
As soon us trees, bushes, and vines
are taken from the ground their roots.
should be covered, to protect them.
from the sun and wind. Mats, blank ets,
or other kinds of coarse cloth can be
used for this purpose if they are not to,
be exposed any great length of time.
Ii they are to be carried a considerable
distance it is better to place moss or,
moist hay or straw about the roots. If
some of the roots are broken or other
wise injured it is best to cut them off
with a sharp knife, SO as to allow new
rootlets to form about the wound. A
like course should be taken with broken
or injured branches. 1t is generally
best to remove some part of the top of
q tree that is to be transplanted. The
loss Of branches should at least core
spond with the loss of root If several
OF the roots have been cut off all the
branches can not be properly supplied
with sap. Too much moisture will be
evaporated through the leaves, and the
tree will be likely to suffer. A tree can
be pruned to the best advantage when
it is out Of the ground. If it is very
tall for its age the main stalk or leader
can be shortened. If there are too ma
ny branches, some of them can be re-
moved. II the tree is very short, height
may be insured by removing some of
the lateral branches.
Novices in planting and persons who
are in a hurry to have fruit and shade
trees generally select large and old
trees. They think that they can 'sgain
time by planting them. Experienced
tree planters select those that are young
and vigorous. They prefer apple and
pear trees that are three years
from the bud, and plum and cherry
trees that have been budded but two
years. They plant no grape vines that
are more than two years old, and pre-
ASI SOOSSbCl1y t1Ab Su11CuG UlISuCS Ol
the same age. Experience has taught
them that young trees are much more
likely to live than old ones, and that
they stand transportation better, and
that they become larger trees at the
end of ten years. What is true of
fruit trees is also true of ornamental
trees in this respect. A few years ago
great numbers of trees from twenty to
forty feet in height. and doubtless that
number of years old, were planted in
parks, on boulevards, and in private
grounds in this city. Some Of them
were so large that trucks were built
specially for moving them and four
horses were required to draw them.
Not unfrequently $50 were paid for
one Of these trees. Nearly all Of these
trees, which were generally we'll plant
ed and cared for, have died or in a
dying condition, while young trees
planted ut the same time are now their
superlors in size.
1t can not be expected that trees,
bushes, and vines will make yerv
rapid growth OF be very productive ii
they are carelessly planted or placed on
poor or unsuitable soil, where they
ce.ve little or no attention. Land 10.
fruit trees, bushes, and vines should be
in as good condition as that intended
for corn and other cultivated crops. 1t
should be plowed deeply and have
good drainage. 1t should be tolerably
rich, but the presence of fresh or IN
fermented manure in the soil is not
desired. Il it is necessary to apply q
fertilizer, Well-rotted forest leaves OF
old stable manure or compost will be
found to be the best. The holes in
which the roots are to be placed should
be of good size, and the ground at their
bottom should be made loose by spade
OF fork, 50 as to give the newly -formed
roots a chance to grow. Only light
and tolerably rich soil should be thrown
about the roots. When the hole is
partially filed with fine earth bucket
of water can be used to excellent ad
vantage to carry it about the roots
To-. 4